Must Visit Beaches in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia with more than 7,000 islands. This country has been blessed with abundant natural resources, and being surrounded by the ocean, the country boasts of some of the world's best beaches. There is more to the Philippines than beaches, but if you yearn for the sand, the sun, and the sea, it really can't get any better!

Aside from powder fine sand and warm waters, the Philippines makes for an excellent travel destination due to the friendly prices. For half - or even less - of what you would spend for a week in other countries, you can soak up the sun without worrying about your budget. Additionally, the Filipino people are known for being among the hospitable in the world. The locals will welcome you with open arms and smiling faces practically everywhere you go.

If you're looking for the most relaxing and yet awe-inspiring beach trip of your life, you absolutely have to take these Philippine beaches into consideration. The short list that I have compiled may not not coincide with the usual lists you will find about Philippine beaches. I have to tell you at the outset that the beaches in this list are places that I have visited personally, or beaches that are in my travel bucket list. Some of them may not be the first names that you will hear from other tourists, but they certainly are the most beautiful that I have ever visited.

El Nido is located in Palawan, which some consider to be the last frontier of the country. Found in the western part of the Philippines, Palawan is easily accessible via airplane from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The area is rife with beaches, cliffs, and lagoons, which will enchant any visitor. El Nido is about 238 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan and where the famed underground river can be found.

Of the many beaches to be found in Palawan, El Nido is one of the best. It is the top destination in this part of the country, and with good reason! The beaches of El Nido are the finest you will find in the country - the powdery white sand and crystal clear waters will make you want to stay in the paradise forever.

If you have the budget, you will want to take a look at the El Nido Resorts, which provide world class accommodations. They are rather pricey, but the cost covers practically everything. The good news is that while there are pricey resorts in the area, the budget traveler will not lack for options as well. There are many smaller resorts to be found in El Nido, catering to different budgets. Even better, you also get to enjoy the same beautiful beaches, cliffs, and lagoons as everyone else!

The island province of Guimaras is located in the Western Visayas region. From Manila, you can take a plane to Iloilo City and then take a short boat ride to the island. This part of the country is best known for its sweet mangoes, which locals will tell you are incomparable. It is then best to visit the area during mango season, which is around April.

Guimaras also boasts of pristine beaches, which are best visited by renting a pump boat for the day. The beaches were resorts are already established are beautiful as well, but those that remain untouched are the ones that you ought to make sure to visit. Going on an island hopping trip is an experience that you will never forget, thanks to the numerous beaches to discover. When you do so, make arrangements with the resort to pack lunch and snacks. Even better, ask the boatmen if they can arrange local fishermen in one of the little islands to serve you freshly caught fish. There is also a marine sanctuary where you can observe how the locals take care of sea turtles.

Just like Palawan, Guimaras has a variety of beach resorts that will cater different budget ranges. If you are adventurous, I suggest visiting Baras Beach Resort, which is a tiny island that offers rustic accommodations. The beach isn't that brilliant, but the cove is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and the fresh food served every day will delight your tastebuds.

Caramoan is in the province of Camarines Sur, a province in the southern part of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines. Caramoan is one of those hidden gems that is quickly being discovered, so it is best to visit as soon as you can, before developers get their hands on the area. Truth be told, I think that the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to is found in Caramoan. It is no wonder that some international versions of Survivor (French and Israeli) have been filmed in this part of the world!

Since the area is relatively untouched by progress, you will not find too many beach resorts. There is Gota Village, which is the most known resort in the area. It is beautiful and provides all the comforts that you can want, but it also comes at a price. Alternatively, you can choose La Playa resort, which is more of a camping site but also has some cottages for rent. I suggest the latter for budget considerations and also because of the fact that the astounding beaches are not to be found in the resort areas anyway. As with Guimaras, you will have to rent a boat and go island hopping.

If you want to try other activities aside from soaking in the sand while you go boating or lounging on the beach, there is a water sports complex in the mainland. You will be passing by this area anyway since it is nearer the airport. (See links below.)

Moalboal is located south of Cebu City, which is considered as the "second city" of the Philippines (Metro Manila being the first). It takes approximately two hours to get to Moalboal from the airport, the travel time being dependent on whether you take public transportation or hire a car. Moalboal may not have the finest of sands and longest of beaches, but it does have an excellent reputation for diving and snorkeling.

There are two main beaches in the area, Panagsama Beach and White Beach. If you absolutely have to have the beach at your doorstep, the latter is the place for you. However, the former provides a lot of choices with regard to accommodation and food. It also has a lot of diving schools where you can go for a fun dive or get certified. And even if you do not want to go diving, you simply have to put on a mask and snorkel, and you will discover the amazing world beneath the surface of the ocean.

Another popular destination in Moalboal is Kawasan Falls, which is shown in the photo. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from Panagsama Beach, plus a 20-minute or so easy trek up the mountain. At the falls, there are restaurants and rafts which you can rent. One can easily spend an entire afternoon relaxing and enjoying the cool water!